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Show tW'1 rr xfC,',vv ,W' W.'.Xw.Mw.VMVAWMi The Rileys Organic Fruit Orchard While other Moab orchards are being ripped out for subdivisions, Andrew 6 Angela arc creating a new one. By Janice Hubbard Trees matter to most erf us although many of us are unaware of their influence in our lives. Joyce Kilmer's poem. Trees, seems to aptly describe the nobility of trees and what they mean to humankind. Angela interjects by saying, "Maintaining and enriching the orchard is really day by day second by second; a lot of challenge, a lot of physical work which requires brute muscle weed whacking, for an example. It is amazing how - much you have to give to the earth to get anything back. There is a lot of giving in farming. To the work effort and is demonstrate, like giving to 3500 people who need nutrients and water." The Rileys' orchards contain peach, nectarine, apricot and apple trees. "All trees are sprayed with "J think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth's sweet flowing breast, A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts Us leafy arms to pray. A tree that may in Summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; biodegradable Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. earth we use a lot" He speaks softly, but with certainty in his When most of us think of beginning an orchard, "making trees", and developing the effort into a financially successful venture, we have a vague idea that some irrigation will be required. We are wiliing and recognize the necessity of spraying the trees, with a power sprayer, to avoid the insects that can destroy a crop. We are not willing to put forth great amounts of hard labor year after year. Many of us think if orchard growers are "somewhat" faithful in following these easy steps, they then hire someone, other than themselves, to pick the guaranteed, bounteous harvest that awaits. The above is as far from the truth with regard to organic orchards as is "Cinderella", the children's classic story. There is no magic in farming. There is no way to move beyond the years it takes to have a mature crop. The earth is an accomplished coquette leading one on with the promise of bounty, voice. Like many other Moabites, both Angela and Andrew Riley came to Moab almost by accident Angela was hot, dry weather; then changing moods and with the slightest of UkK the southwestern United States when she decided in 1986, she wanted to settle in Moab. In her early years in Moab, she was employed in a variety of jobs, like the Canyonlands Field Institute and Tours. In her growing-u- p years, she and her family lived near Lm Angeles. When her came to visit, they were parents astonished at this hot sandy, barren land their daughter had chosen as home. It seemed as if their daughter had chosen an unusually difficult path. Andrew arrived in the area in 1978 where he says, "I stumbled on Moab; purchased some land in Castle Valley where I grew organic vegetables. I was looking for a place to farm." His background is "Scottish Okie" meaning his father was a G. L in World War II who was bom in Oklahoma and who was stationed in Scotland where he met a Scottish lass. They were married and returned to the United Tag-A-Lo- - with organic insecticides or fertilizers." The elements used in organic orchards are organically toxic to insects, but not to the earth or to the trees. The same is not true for commercial orchards. Riley advises us, "Its the Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives wUh rain. disappointing or Adre6 AjeliRilejr This makes the required efforts Andrew and Angela Riley put forth in their orchards even more fascinating and challenging in that they entered the orchard business in a sort at a time when other orchards in Moab are being ripped out of the ground to make way for subdivisions. They immediately began working with the soil to improve it The soil was sandy. They have been working hard by building humus in the soil and watering every fourth day. The Rileys not only have a desire to provide nourishing food that is never harmful to those who enjoy their crops, but also to preserve the earth, not to drain it of its richness and resources. One of their goals is to cultivate their orchard in such a way that the soil is protected for future fanners. I spent a morning with the Rileys a few weeks ago and I asked Andrew what his philosophy of life is. With smiling blue eyes, he explains in a gentle, yet firm tone, "I would have to say my life is a continual learning process and the ultimate challenge is to love and forgive yourself, and then get on with it. This love includes loving your earth, nature, neighbors producing clean food is our way of expressing our love for our neighbors. This is one manifestation of our love for the people of Moab. It is our mode of expression.' Sighing, he added, "It can be exhausting." Maintaining the orchards 3,500 trees means 14 to 15 hours arduous labor every day in the summer. Hours where air conditioning or protection from the sun is impossible. In the orchards, there is no escape from sudden rain, the raging, incessant heat or powerful winds. One becomes part of the earth and not only learns to accept the elements, but to recognize their importance in the cycle of the land and the treasures it produces. . . touring ng States when Andrew was 18 months old. His paternal family lost his land during the "Dust Bowl" years in the 30s, and so, like many others, the family headed for California. father owned and Rileys operated a fishing boat to support his family. Though he held a love for the land, he deep cautioned his children about investing their livelihood in advised He often farming. his children it was a tough way to make a hie and told stories of the dry, dusty living years that cost his family their piece of land. Today, his father is not here to offer support. However, his mother supports the Rileys' effort in developing a fine, organic orchard. Riles fourteen-year-ol- d son, Bijan, also works during the harvest of the orchards. He enjoys the best of two worlds. He spends the winters surfing when staying with his mother. Angela and Andrew were a part of the Moab community for several years before they met. They found each other a little more than seven years ago when Andrew was registering voters to join a toxic incinerator battle. Andrew explains, "Something clicked and we've been together seven years." I asked him about the response from Moab residents to his organic farming efforts. "The people of Moab have been extremely supportive of our efforts. They seem pleased that we are developing something agricultural rather than giving our land to more subdivisions. Moab used to be an orchard town." The concept of an oiganic orchard fits well with Rileys principles and beliefs. He explains, "I waged a personal campaign against the toxic aspects of our society. I mm m |
